The Compass Advantage Framework
Explore The Compass
The Compass Advantage framework is designed to foster the development of a child’s mind, body, heart, and spirit. Created by researcher and developmental psychologist, Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D., eight core attributes form an internal compass that helps kids become pilots of their own lives. Nurtured by parents, teachers, and mentors, research suggests these competencies are the drivers of school, career, and life success. Hover over a compass point to see more information. Discover resources to help grow the compass abilities in your home, school, and community or take a free survey to explore these attributes in yourself or a child. Read why human development is essential to thriving and how the compass framework and our surveys are informed by decades of research.
Empathy
Ability to recognize, feel, and respond to the needs and suffering of others.
Altruism
Caring
Civic-mindedness
Compassion
Generosity
Kindness
Patience
Stewardship
Thoughtfulness
Tolerance
Integrity
Ability to act in ways consistent with the values, beliefs, and moral principles we claim to hold.
Authenticity
Courage
Honesty
Honor
Respect
Responsiblity
Restraint
Creativity
Ability to produce and communicate original ideas and to appreciate the nature of beauty.
Aesthetics
Humor
Imagination
Ingenuity
Inspiration
Inventiveness
Originality
Playfulness
Curiosity
Ability to seek and acquire new knowledge, skills, and ways of understanding the world.
Critical Thinking
Inquisitiveness
Love of Learning
Open-mindedness
Reasoning
Skeptical
Thoughtful
Resilience
Ability to meet and overcome challenges in ways that maintain or promote well-being.
Bravery
Determination
Flexibility
Grit
Initiative
Optimism
Perseverance
Self-Confidence
Self-Awareness
Ability to examine and understand who we are relative to the world around us.
Belief in Self
Gratitude
Hope
Mindfulness
Purposeful
Reflexivity
Self-Reflective
Spirituality
Vitality
Vulnerability
Wisdom
Resourcefulness
Ability to find and use available resources to achieve goals, problem-solve, and shape the future.
Conscientious
Decision-Making
Goal-Orientedness
Negotiating
Planning
Problem-Solving
Risk-taking
